North Carolina is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2025–2026 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 31, 2026, with 26 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Wildlife Resources Commission within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 Coastal Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 29 Coastal Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 18 – Jan 31 Coastal Duck Season - Split 3 | |||
| Inland Zone1 | Oct 16 – Oct 18 Inland Duck Season - Split 1 | 6 | 18 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 29 Inland Duck Season - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Inland Duck Season - Split 3 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard No more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
1Verified: dates match eReg. Pintail fixed 1/3→3/9 (national 2025-26 change). Scaup limit changes mid-season (1 before Jan 9, 2 after) — not captured in DB. Notes text lists correct sub-limits.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Zone1 | Sep 11 – Sep 20 September Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
| Inland Zone1 | Sep 11 – Sep 20 September Teal Season | 6 | 18 |
1Verified: dates match. Gap: eReg says east of US Hwy 17 only — Inland Zone record may be incorrect but not removing.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 16 – Oct 25 Resident Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Nov 8 – Dec 6 Resident Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 18 – Feb 7 Resident Canada Goose - Split 3 | |||
| Coastal Zone1,2 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 September Canada Goose | 15 | 45 |
| Oct 24 – Oct 25 Resident Canada Goose - Split 1 | |||
| Nov 8 – Dec 6 Resident Canada Goose - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 18 – Feb 7 Resident Canada Goose - Split 3 |
1Verified: Sept Canada goose Sep 1-30, 15/45 matches. Gap: Northeast Hunt Zone (Dec 29-Jan 31, limit 1) not in DB.
2Verified: Regular Canada goose dates/limits match Resident Population Zone. Gap: Northeast Hunt Zone missing.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Zone1 | Oct 24 – Feb 7 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 25 | – |
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 24 – Feb 7 Snow/Ross Goose Season | 25 | – |
1Verified: Oct 24-Feb 7, 25/no possession matches eReg.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Zone1 | Feb 9 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
| Coastal Zone1 | Feb 9 – Mar 31 Light Goose Conservation Order | – | – |
1Verified: Feb 9-Mar 31, no limit matches eReg.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Zone1 | Oct 16 – Oct 18 Coot Season - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 29 Coot Season - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 19 – Jan 31 Coot Season - Split 3 | |||
| Coastal Zone1 | Oct 24 – Oct 25 Coot Season - Split 1 | 15 | 45 |
| Nov 8 – Nov 29 Coot Season - Split 2 | |||
| Dec 18 – Jan 31 Coot Season - Split 3 |
1Verified: dates match duck season splits, 15/45 matches.
Season dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2025-2026 season. This data has not yet been verified against official sources for this season. Always confirm with your state's official regulations before hunting.